Kevin Chambers and Laura Washington Named Black Leaders Worth Watching

Partners Kevin Chambers and Laura Washington have been recognized as Black Leaders Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal. The inaugural award recognizes leaders in law and industry who “demonstrate their talents and skills, their dedication to excellence in all they do, their willingness to mentor and support the next generation, and their commitment to the larger community.” Chambers and Washington will each be profiled in an upcoming issue of the journal.

Chambers serves as co-chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in the Washington, D.C. office, and represents individual and institutional clients in a variety of white collar, securities, and professional liability matters, including criminal and civil litigation and internal investigations. He currently serves as global chair of the firm's Diversity Leadership Committee (DLC). In the wake of George Floyd’s killing, Chambers galvanized the partnership to implement a matching donation program that raised $2 million in firm and personnel contributions to four social justice organizations. Under Chambers’ leadership, the DLC created two speakers series that alternate monthly — one featuring diversity and inclusion thought leaders and one that provides education on systemic inequities — and launched a firmwide allies initiative, designed to equip Latham personnel with the tools and information we need to be better allies for one another and in our communities.

Washington, based in Century City, primarily handles complex commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation, including copyright and trademark. In addition to her litigation practice, she frequently consults on Entertainment, Sports & Media transactional matters, with a view to limiting clients’ potential litigation or exposure. Washington was one of just five lawyers to earn a spot on The Hollywood Reporter’s 25th edition of its highly coveted Next Generation list. As partner advisor to Latham’s Black Lawyers Group (BLG), Washington interacts with Black associates around the globe, providing input on BLG-sponsored programs and specific advice on associates’ progression and career paths at Latham. She is particularly proud of the implementation of the BLG Mentoring Families, a firmwide initiative in which partners, counsel, and associates are assigned to cross-office cohorts to facilitate mentorship, dialogue, and community building. Washington serves on the Board of Directors of Change Lawyers whose mission is to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the California legal profession.